The “Twelve Traditions” of A.A. are suggested principles to insure the survival and growth of the thousands of groups that make up the Fellowship. They are based on the experience of the groups themselves during the critical early years of the movement. The Traditions are important to both oldtimers and newcomers as reminders of the true foundations of A.A. as a society of people whose primary concern is to maintain their own sobriety and help others to achieve sobriety.